In a surprising move, the Nashville Predators have acquired goaltender Justus Annunen and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for veteran goalie Scott Wedgewood. This transaction marks a pivotal shift for both franchises as they navigate the challenges of the current NHL season.

The Avalanche have struggled with goaltending this year, experimenting with four different netminders due to a mix of injuries and inconsistent performances. Starter Alexandar Georgiev has started to find his rhythm, recently stringing together three wins with an improved save percentage of .891 over the last five games – a significant uptick compared to his season stats of seven wins and an .872 save percentage in 15 appearances. The team opted to bring in Wedgewood, a seasoned goalie in his seventh NHL season, to bolster their backup situation.

Wedgewood’s start this season has been rocky, with just one win and a save percentage of .878 across five games for Nashville. However, he previously demonstrated his value to the Dallas Stars, where he recorded a commendable .915 save percentage in 21 games last year. With Nashville's commitment to Wedgewood through a two-year, $3 million contract signed this summer, he was expected to fill a reliable role behind starter Juuse Saros, who recently secured an impressive eight-year, $61.92 million contract extension. This development pushed top Predators prospect Yaroslav Askarov out of the organization, leading to his trade to the San Jose Sharks for a package that included former first-round pick David Edstrom.

On the flip side, Justus Annunen, once seen as one of the premier young goaltenders in the league, has faced significant hurdles this season. After an impressive showing last year, where he boasted a stellar .928 save percentage in 14 games for Colorado and a .908 save percentage in 23 AHL games, Annunen has struggled to replicate that performance this season, mustering only six wins and an .872 save percentage in 11 games.

Original drafted as a third-round pick in 2018, Annunen has earned praise in hockey circles thanks to a strong tenure in Finland's Liiga, where he achieved 22 wins and a .906 save percentage over 49 games. In North America, he has continued to hold his own with a .905 save percentage across 114 AHL games and a .902 over 29 NHL appearances in the past four seasons.

With the trade, the Predators have opened up a potential opportunity for Annunen to secure the backup role behind Saros. Although starting opportunities may be scarce given Saros's impressive .912 save percentage in 20 games this season, the Predators are banking on Annunen’s higher potential over Wedgewood's veteran experience.

Both teams are looking to hit their stride, with the Predators and Avalanche currently holding the seventh and fourth spots respectively in the competitive Central Division. As the season progresses, the impact of this trade could prove crucial for whether either team can climb the standings or maintain their play-off aspirations. Keep an eye on how Annunen responds to this new chapter in his career—could he rise to the occasion and reclaim his status as a top-tier goaltender? Only time will tell!